One of the Pennsylvnia Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws (PARSOL)’s top priorities is to ensure our communities and leaders recognize that sexual harm is a preventable public health issue, a significant paradigm shift from society’s predisposed criminal justice response. In support of this priority, PARSOL staff and key volunteers attend relevant conferences and workshops. On June 25-26, 2024, PARSOL staff joined more than 250 researchers and advocates at the Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse annual Envision conference, “The Future of Prevention.”
This inspiring, challenging, and motivating two-day conference featuring the latest research, practice, and experience in the prevention of child sexual abuse where MOORE unveiled its new Prevention Global hub and deep dive series of knowledge resources exploring challenges and opportunities in perpetration prevention.
In a compelling keynote address, Simon Bailey, QPM, DL, CBE, chair of the International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute and Director of Strategic Engagement at the Child Rescue Coalition, presented a strong case for a shift in addressing child sexual abuse, particularly in the online realm. Bailey’s call for a “whole system approach,” resonates with PARSOL’s 2025 policy and legislative agenda, which emphasizes prevention, treatment, and healing as viable alternatives to purely punitive measures. Bailey’s remarks align with PARSOL’s assertion that the current criminal justice-focused approach, particularly the sex offender registry, has been ineffective in significantly reducing sexual abuse or recidivism.
The Ineffectiveness of Current Approaches
During his presentation, Bailey made a bold statement: “We cannot arrest our way out of this problem,” he said.
This echoes PARSOL’s stance on the limitations of the criminal justice system in addressing sexual harm. He notes that despite leading what he described as “the world’s leading response to the enforcement threat,” the number of victims and offenders kept growing month after month.
Time and time again, we see examples that show the registry causing more harm than good. A 2022 study by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections found that the keys to preventing recidivism were effective housing, employment, and community involvement. However, a 2023 PARSOL survey revealed that nine out of ten respondents found their listing on the Pennsylvania Megan’s Law Registry and/or parole/probation-imposed restrictions are significant barriers to these very factors.
A Public Health Approach
- Both Bailey and The Moore Center advocate for treating sexual harm as a public health issue rather than a criminal justice response. This approach involves understanding the root causes and risk factors associated with sexual harm and implementing proactive measures to mitigate its occurrence.
- PARSOL’s legislative agenda outlines several strategies that align with this public health approach:
- Comprehensive, age-appropriate sexual harm education
- Promotion of healthy relationships and consent culture
- Primary prevention and strategies to safely address individuals with higher risk of causing harm or being harmed in a sex-related offense
- Providing access to mental health support/resources
- Addressing social norms perpetuating sexual violence
- Implementing trauma-informed policies/interventions
- Inclusion of strengths-based programs over shame-based punitive measures
Bailey’s presentation reinforced the importance of these strategies, particularly emphasizing the need for early education and awareness about online safety and sexual harm prevention for children and parents.
Evidence-Based Solutions
A key point of Bailey’s presentation is the emphasis on evidence-based solutions. Bailey stressed the importance of understanding “what works” and “what doesn’t work” in prevention and intervention programs. This aligns with PARSOL’s call to base legislation and public policy on evidence-based solutions, including the use of validated risk assessment methods and research-supported tools,
Furthermore, PARSOL continually argues against Pennsylvania’s one-size-fits-all policies, advocating instead for judicial discretion in sentencing based on the specific circumstances of each case and person which Bailey’s remarks support.
Big Tech Responsibility
Bailey devoted significant attention to the role of technology and big tech companies in the proliferation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). He argued that technology-related companies have consistently prioritized profit over child safety, despite having the technological capabilities to better protect children.
Support for Victims and Frontline Workers
Bailey passionately argued for increased investment in supporting survivors of child sexual abuse and providing robust mental health support for frontline workers exposed to CSAM. In Pennsylvania, this is reflected in the Trauma-Informed PA initiative, known as “HEAL PA,” which calls for comprehensive programs to build resilience in schools and communities and fund treatment programs.
Additionally, ensuring that experts provide frontline workers who deal with perpetrators of sexual harm with updated information and evidence-based research and best practices for dealing with this critical public health crisis.
Simon Bailey’s keynote address at The Moore Center’s 2024 Envision Conference presents a compelling case for a paradigm shift in addressing child sexual abuse that aligns closely with PARSOL’s agenda. Both emphasize the need for a public health approach, evidence-based solutions, and a focus on prevention and healing rather than purely punitive measures. By attending such conferences and advocating for these approaches, PARSOL demonstrates its commitment to creating more effective, humane, and just responses to sexual harm in society.
